Time element control system and apparatus



July 7, 1931. c. s. HULL 1,813,743

TIME ELEMENT CONTROL SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Filed Oct. 9, 1924 Fig. I.

lnventof' CLcLrence 8. Hull, y His Attorney.

Patented July 7, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLARENCE S. HULL, 0F OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK TIME ELEMENT CONTROL SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Application filed October 9, 1924. Serial No. 742,729.

This invention relates to time element control systems and apparatus for controlling electric circuits and has for its object the provision of simple and reliable means for automatically controlling a circuit at different time intervals after the operation of a master controller.

More specifically, the invention provides a novel arrangement of time element switch mechanism whereby an electric circuit may be automatically closed a predetermined time interval after the operation of a master controller andthen opened a predetermined time interval after the closure thereof.

Heretofore various forms of time element switch mechanisms have been proposed for controlling an electric circuit so as to either close or open the circuit a time interval after the operation of a master controller and then reopen or reclose the circuit a longer interval thereafter. However, such devices with which I am familiar have either operated in continuous time cycles upon the operation of the master controller or have required a resetting operation to render the device responsive toa subsequent operation of the controller. Also, in such devices the time interval during which the circuit is maintained open and closed after the operation of the master controller, are not independently adjustable.

Hence a further object of the present invention is to provide an electro-responsive time element circuit controlling arrangement having a definite sequence of operation upon each operation of a master switch and which is reset automatically after each operation thereof and also permits independent adjustment of the time intervals during which the controlled circuit is maintained opened and closed.

A still further object of my invention is the provision of an adjustable time element control arrangement which may be applied advantageously to time the admittance of ated and rotated at high speed by means of an electric motor in order'to remove the syrup by centrifugal action. After a predetermined time a fine spray of water is directed against the sugar in order to remove the residue of syrup which clings to the sugar crystals and the time interval that this spray continues depends upon the grade of sugar and must be accurately regulated. Heretofore the timing of the water spray valve has been accomplished by means of a running screw and half nut mechanism which is set into operation to open the valve at the time the operator thinks that the basket has spun suliiciently to extract the free running syrup from the sugar. The spray continues during the time interval required for the half nut to travel a certain distance on the running screw, whereupon the water valve is again closed and the half nut is reset to its initial position.

By means of my invention, the energizing circuit of an electromagnetically operated valve in the spray water pipe may be closed a predetermined time interval after the master controller of the driving motor is operated to the maximum speed position. My improved time element control arrangement then operates to open the energizing circuit of the electromagnetic valve a predetermined time interval after the closure thereof.

My invention may be more fully understood from the following description of the embodiment thereof which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 diagrammatically shows the invention applied to an electrically controlled sugar washer and Fig. 2 is a distorted perspective view of a preferred form of electro-responsive time delay switch mechanism which may be irmployed in the control system shown in The novel features and combinations which I believe to be characteristic of my invention are pointed out with particularity in the appended claims.

Referring to F i 1 of the drawings, the electromagnetic valve 10 is arranged to control the admittance of Water to the sprayer S of the sugar centrifugal C which is driven by the electric motor M as indicated in th drawings.- The valve is'normally close and is arranged to be energized from a suit able source of su ,ply 11 through a circuit which is controlle by electro-responsive time element switch mechanism arranged according to m invention. In the embodiment illustrate the electro-responsive switch mechanism comprises a pair of electro-redescribed and claimed sponsive adjustable time delay switches 12 and 12a which are each connected to be energized from the supply lines 13 under the control of the master controller 14.

As shown in the drawings the master controller or switch 14 is suitably connected soas to complete the energizing circuit of the time delay .switch'12 at the same time the driving motor M of the sugar centrifugal washing machine C is connected to the suppl lines 13 for operation at the maximum spee As will be more fully described hereinafter, the arrangement of the electro-resporb' sive time delay switch mechanism is such that the circuit controlling contacts 15 and 16 of switch 12 are operated to complete the energizing circuit for the switch 12a a predetermined time interval after the closure of master controller 14 and the circuit con-' trolling contact 15a of switch 12a thereupon is operated\to close the energizing circuitof the electromagnetic valve-'10 and the circuit controllin I the energizing circuit thereof a predetermined time interval thereafter. Although the inventionis not necessarlly ergizing windings 19 and 20 connected .in'

series circuit and are arranged to control the operation of a flexible-member 21 which carries the circuit controlling contacts 15 and 16 on opposite ends thereof.

Asmore fully described in the above patent, the arrangement is such that the contact 15 is' operated into engagement with the stationary contact 22 cooperating therewithupon the closure ,of the circuit includingthe energizing windings 19 and 20 and the p1voted latch 23 which normally maintains the circuit controlling contact 16 in engagement with its lower. cooperating stationarycon tact 24 is'released a predetermined time interval thereafter by the trlpping pin 25 which is rotated by the constant speed motor 18 through suitable speed reducing gearing contact 16a is operated-to open' as indicated in the drawings. The circuitcontrolling contact 16 which is normally in engagement with its lower cooperating sta- 'tionary contact 24 is biased into engagement with its upper stationary contact 26 uponthe operation of the flexible member 21 to close the normally open contact 15. Thus upon the release of the latch 23, contact 16 at once disengages the lower stationary contact 24' and engages with the upper stationary contact 26. By varyingthe position ofstop 27', the travel of tripping pin 25' may be varied, thus permitting adjustment of the time interval required to release the latch 23.

With the time delay switches 12 and 12a of Fig. 1, each constructed as shown in Fig. 2, the operation of the control system. shown in Fig. 1 is as follows:

Assumingthe supply lines 11 and 13 suitably energized, closure of master switch 14 connects the sugar centrifugal driving motor M and the energizing windings 19 and 20 of switch 12 to the supply lines'13 and the normally open circuit controlling contact 15 is at once operated to the closed position. After the elapse of the predetermined time interval durin which the motor is accelerating the centri gal and for which switch 12.

has been adjusted, the circuit controlling contact 16 is released and en ages stationary contact 26, thereby connecting the energizlng'wmdings 19a and 20a to the supply lines 13. Thereupon the normally opened circuit controlling contact 15a is operated to close.

the energizing clrcuit of the electrorrragnetic valve 10. Valve 10 at once is operated to the open position to permit fluid to flow through the pi e 27 to the sprayer nozzle S. This flow of uid through pipe 27 is continued during the independently adjustable time interval required for the electro-respons1ve time delay switch 12a'to efl'ect the release of the normally closed circuit controlling contact 16a. Upon the release of contact 16a, the 'energizingcircuit of electromagnetic. valve 10 is opened and the valve at once returns to the closed position, thereby stopping further flow of fluid through the pipe 27.

When the master switch 14 is returned to the open ,position shown inthe drawings to interrupt the energizing circuit of motor M and switch 12, the 'circuit controlling contacts 15 and 16 thereupon return to the positions shown in the drawings, according to their bias, thereby opening the energizing cirquit of winding 19a and 20a of switch 12a. This permits the circuit controlling contacts 15a and 16a to return to their respective open and closed. positions to which they are biased. Thus the-electro-responsive switch mechanism is automatically reset preparatory toa subsequent operation of the sugar centrifugal in exactly the same manner as previously described upon reclosure of master switch 15.

In case it is desired to vary the time interval obtained after closure of the master switch 14 before the energizing circuit for the electromagnetic valve 10 is closed, the adjustable stop 27' with which the electro-responsive adjustable time delay switch 12 is provided, as indicated in Fig. 2, may be moved to either increase or decrease the travel of the tripping pin required to release the latch 23. If the stop 27 is moved so as to increase the travel of the tripping pin 25, a greater time interval after operation of the master switch 1 L is obtained before the energization of the electromagnetic valve 10 is effected. On the other hand, if the stop 27 is adjusted so as to decrease the travel of the tripping pin 25, the time interval is correspondingly decreased.

Likewise, if it is desired to vary the time interval between the closure of the energizing circuit for the electromagnetic valve 10 and the opening thereof, a similar adjustment is madeof the stop with which the electroresponsive time delay switch 12a is provided so as to either increase or decrease the travel of the tripping pin with a corresponding increase or decrease in the time interval between the closure and the opening of the energizing circuit for the valve 10. Thus, it will be seen that the electroresponsive tlme element switch mechanism embodying my invention permits not only adjustment at will of the time interval during which the circuit of the valve 10 is maintained closed, but also permits an independent ad ustment of the time interval between the closure of the master switch 14 and the'resulting closure of the energizing circuit for the valve 10. This results in a very nice and accurate adjustment of the time that the sprayer S s set into operation after the centrlfugal C is loaded with sugar and brought up to the proper speed, as well as the tlme that the sprayer continues in operat on so as to meet the varying spraying requirements of different grades of sugar.

In accordance with the provlsions of the patent statutes, I have described the principles of operation of my invention together with the apparatus which I now conslder to represent the best embodiment thereof, but I would have it understood that the apparatus shown is only illustrative and that the invention may be carried out by other means.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, 1s

1. The combination of a circuit, a master controller, and means for closi ng and opening said circuit at definite time intervals after the operation of said master controller comprising a normally open c1rcu1t controlling member connected in said circuit, electro-responsive time element means set into operation upon the operation of said master normally open circuit controlling member.

2. The combination of a master controller, a normally open electro-responsive time element relay controlled by said master controller and arranged to be operated to circuit closing position a predetermined time interval after the operation of said master controller, and having adjustable means for varying said time interval at will and electro-responsive time delay switch mechanism connected to be controlled by said relay and having one circuit controlling member arranged to be operated upon the operation of said relay and a second circuit controlling member arranged to be operated a predetermined time interval after the operation of said relay and provided with adjustable means for varying said time interval at will.

3. The combination of a circuit, a master switch and means for controlling said circuit at independently adjustable time intervals after the operation of said master switch comprising a normally open circuitcontrolling member and a normally closed circuit controlling member, each connected in said circuit, electro-responsive time delay means set into operation upon the operation of said master switch for closing said first circuit controlling member an adjustable definite time interval after the operation of said master switch, and a second electro-responsivetime delay means set into operation simultaneously with the closure of said first member for opening said second member an independently adjustable definite time inter- Val after the closure of said first member.

The combination of a circuit, a master controller, electroresponsive time delay switch mechanism controlled by said master switch and having a pair of separately movable circuit-controlling members connected in series relationin said circuit for controlling the same and arranged to be separately operated at independently adjustable definite time intervals after the operation of said master switch, and biasing means associated with said clrcult-controllmg members for effecting the return thereof to their respec tive initial conditions immediately upon the return of said master controller to its initial condition.

5. The combination of a circuit, a-plurality of separately operable circuit controlling members connected in.-said circuit for independently controlling the same, a master controller, time element means including a motor operated switch having its energizing circuit controlled by said master controller and an electromagnet having its energizing circuit controlled by said motor operated switch for operating one of said members a predetermined time interval after the operation of said controller, said motor operated switch having adjustable means for varying said time interval at will, and independently operable time element means including an operatin motor having its energizing circuit contr'o led by said motor operated switch for operating another of said members a predetermined time interval after the operation of said one member, said operating motor having adjustable means for varying said time interval at will.

6. The combination of a circuit, a maste controller, an electric motor operated adjustable time element switch connected to be energized upon operation of said controller and having an electromagnetic switch controlled thereby and connected to close said circuit an adjustable time interval after the operation of said master controller, a second motor operated adjustable time element switch connected to be energized simultaneously with said electromagnetic switch and arranged to open the said circuit an independently adjustable time interval after the closure thereof, and biasing means associated with said motor operated switches and said electromagnetic switch for effecting the return thereof to their initial positions immediately upon the return of said master controller to its initial position.

7 The combination of a circuit, a master controller, a switch for controlling said circuit biased to the circuit opening position, an electromagnet for closing the said switch, a motor operated adjustable time element switch connected to be set into operation upon the operation of said master controller and arranged to ener 'ze the said electroe magnet an adjustable t1me interval after operation of said master controller, a second switch for controlling said circuit biased to "the circuit closing position, an independently operable adjustable time element motor connected to be set into operation under the control of said motor operated switch simultaneously with the energization of said electromagnet and operable to open said second switch an adjustable time interval aftenthe energization of said electromagnet.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 30th day of September, 1924.

CLARENCE S. HULL. 

